Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

As with my last review, a disclaimer that this review will have very little technical jargon or audiophile details and descriptions. If anything this review will be quite the opposite, relying on lots of subjective anecdotes and comparisons. I fully disclose that I am not very experienced or well-versed in audio yet. If you're looking for a more "typical" review style, this might not do much for you

I think the single best thing I can say about the MTW2 is that while I originally purchased them simply to use for working out, they ended up many times replacing an almost $2,000 over-ear headphone setup, even on sound quality.

An aside: although I'm not going to list the exact components of the setup here out of respect, I'm aware it can be easily found with a little research. All I'll say is that I believe that setup had poor synergy and simply combined into a particular sound I personally didn't find appealing; I'm sure the components each are fantastic and I simply had a beginner's learning experience with not knowing what my preferences are. I'd prefer not to talk about, it as I don't like to speak negatively if I can. I only felt it was necessary to mention in my review to give an idea of just how good I think the MTW2 sound.

Anyways, I originally purchased these buds to workout with. My criteria were something that first and foremost fit very well and had great comfort, had some sort of equalizer, and also had decent sound. I initially wanted to spend no more than $100-150, but saw the MTW2 on sale and had a classic "f*ck it" moment.

I'll quickly the address the comfort and fit. In short, outstanding. I can wiggle my head and they stay in place. They are very comfortable, never bother my ears, and never fall out even while working out. Easy 10/10 for comfort and fit.

So the sound. Wow was I impressed. Again I don't feel confident enough to use hifi terminology, but these sound extremely balanced and are so pleasing to listen to. Note that I always have the "High-End Sound Tuning" toggled on. These play well with every song. They're never fatiguing or harsh, which is something I personally place value quite highly. Considering that I tend to listen to a lot of modern "not so well-recorded" music when I work out and have never experienced sibilance or fatigue, I would make an educated guess that these likely have slightly smoother highs. I actually think the fact that my only complaint about these is "they don't get loud enough" is a testament to how smooth and non-fatiguing they are. Just simply enjoyable to listen to. This is where my greenness might show, but I don't think they're "V-shaped", as the vocals (my favorite part) are full-bodied and not recessed or veiled in any way, and from what I've gathered that usually isn't the case with a V-shape Either way, if you like vocals, these definitely have fantastic vocals that come through quite pleasingly.

During my research for a wireless bud, one of the most common praises I remember reading about the MTW2 was it's insane soundstage and imaging. That didn't really factor into my decision as I had other priorities as mentioned earlier, but holy cow do these things soundstage and image well. I'm not sure if it's the driver itself, DSP, or a combination of both, but these image with the same level of competency as a good full-sized headphone. The soundstage obviously isn't out-of-head as limited by, well, physics, but it's more than I expected. The imaging and layering though are what blow me away. Imaging is superbly accurate, and instruments are separated with a level of distinction and clarity that still manages to surprise me. I don't know what kind of magic-sauce is going on here, but it's damn impressive.

Detail, to be blunt, is something I still don't feel experienced or confident enough to cover yet, so I won't But if it's anywhere near the level of the soundstage and imaging, it's probably pretty good!

And on to the big selling point. As mentioned earlier, I recently owned a near-$2k desktop setup, and there are many ways in which the sound coming out of these is better to me. From what I've gathered and learned from talking to people, I think it's the dynamics and tonal balance. But that's just a guess. Regardless, I think the comparison is a pretty glowing recommendation. Just take it with a big grain of salt

So now to price. I've seen a lot of people saying these are on the pricier side and way too expensive for wireless earbuds. I actually disagree here. Granted I haven't heard other audiophile wireless earbuds, but I have to imagine these are pretty high up on the ladder for sonic performance. With how good they sound and how well they fit, I actually would say the price is justified. Maybe $300 is pushing it a little, but nowadays you can usually find them for 250-270, and I think that's just fine.

My only gripe/negative comment about the MTW2 is that I wish they'd get a bit louder. I always find myself saying "man that sounds good, give me a little more!" But on the other hand this could also be another compliment. Maybe the fact that I always want them to be louder is a statement to their pleasing signature and lack of fatigue? Or they could just in fact be too quiet, it could be either one

I don't have much to say on touch controls and connectivity, as I haven't used many Bluetooth products. While I can't say the controls are good or bad as I don't have much to compare to, I can at least say there's nothing that stands out as irksome or annoying. The touch controls seem to do their job well and respond consistently.

All in all, I can confidently recommend these without a doubt. Sure they're not going to compare to multi-grand flagship headphones, but they are seriously impressive for wireless earbuds. Not only is the sound top-notch, but they are supremely comfortable and never fall out. I originally purchased them with the intent to only use during workouts, but now find them in my ears almost all the time. If that's not a sign of a good product then I don't know what is!

With input from users based on the first generation, Sennheiser implemented active noise cancellation (ANC) and improved the ergonomic design to further enhance the listening experience of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2.

Disclaimer
This article is originally posted on Headphonesty. Thank you, Melvin and team from Sennheiser Singapore for loaning me the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. It was loaned to me in exchange for my honest review and opinion. The unit will be returned to Sennheiser Singapore after this review.

Introduction
As mentioned in my review on MOMENTUM Wireless, 2020 is indeed an exciting year for Sennheiser. Celebrating their 75th anniversary, Sennheiser launches several products to refresh their current lineup. The new MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is the latest addition to Sennheiser's premium true wireless earbuds range.

I can still remember when the first generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless released, the model was sold out almost everywhere I visited. In this release, Sennheiser is aiming to offer a more superior sound quality with better ergonomic design and implementation of active noise cancellation (ANC). The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is going to address feedback from first generation users.

With better ergonomic design, active noise cancellation implementation and longer battery life, can Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless redefine the benchmark for a pair of premium true wireless earbuds?


Unboxing
Similar to other current MOMENTUM series models such as MOMENTUM Wireless, the packaging of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 follows the characteristics of the current lineup - a box with a white background and blue liner, photo with the model name printed on the box. I would take this standardization as an approach to enhance the branding - crowds can immediately identify Sennheiser’s products from far away.

[IMG alt="Packaging for Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2
"]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/d...s4UbV6mCJzrYnvyZEOspTi7bbcyUmjQBckgxoUl[/IMG]

Some of the unique selling points are printed on the back of the box. At the side, users can find a list of included accessories in the box. Sennheiser publicise their in-house smartphone application, Sennheiser Smart Control there, too. I will elaborate more on this in the upcoming section.



Opening the box, it’s separated into two sections. Users can find the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 and the charging case in the upper section. The accessories box takes up the lower section.



Here are the accessories included in the box:

• Four pairs of silicone ear tips (XS, S, M and L, M size pre-installed on the earbuds)
• Charging cable (USB Type-A to USB Type-C)
• Quick guide
• Compliance
• Safety guide

Technical Specification

• Dimensions: 76.8 x 43.8 x 34.7 mm (earbuds and charging case)
• USB Standard: USB Type-C
• Power supply: 5 V⎓ 650 mA max
• Driver type: Sennheiser 7mm dynamic driver
• Frequency response (Microphone): 100 Hz to 10 kHz
• Frequency response: 5 - 21,000 Hz
• Noise cancellation: Single-Mic ANC per earbud side
• Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 compliant
• Charging time: 1.5 h for full charge / 10 min for 1.5 h playtime
• App support: Sennheiser Smart Control app for iOS™ and Android™
• Battery Specification: Built-in Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries
• Battery time: Up to 7 hrs music playtime with earbuds and up to 28 hrs music playtime with charging case
• Supported Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX™
• Ear coupling: In-ear, closed acoustics
• Package dimensions (L x B x H): 170 x 115 x 45 mm
• THD, total harmonic distortion <0,08% (1kHz / 94dB)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight:
  • Both earbuds and charging case: 70 g
  • Single earbud: 6 G
  • Charging case: 58 g

Build
The shell of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is made on 3 pieces of plastic. The groove in between 2 pieces of plastic is obvious. I suspect the ear buds can be disassembled easily for servicing or replacing parts.



The faceplate is made of a piece of silvery metal with Sennheiser logo printed - a modern and classy design. The touch sensor is embedded underneath the faceplate. All the controls are made through touching the faceplate. I have multiple true wireless earbuds with touch control and I feel that Sennheiser is having the most stable touch control among all.



The nozzle of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is relatively short as compared to in-ear monitors (IEMs). However, with the improved ergonomic design, MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is able to provide a deep insertion with its short nozzle. There is a lip on the nozzle to offer a better catch to the ear tips.



Similar to the previous generation, the charging case is covered with a layer of fabric. The Sennheiser’s logo is printed on top of the case. At the back of the case, there is a USB Type-C charging port and a light indicator. Simply press on the button beside the charging port, the light indicator will give you the battery status of the case.

[IMG alt="Charging and storage case of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2
"]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/g...44bv00_M0ba7gJ6hhYJUTpbE4AVJBVRxyhmIRly[/IMG]

Connectivity
Powered by Bluetooth version 5.1, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 provides you with stable and reliable connectivity wirelessly to your devices. Multiple audio codecs are supported - SBC, AAC and aptX™. Within a month of reviewing, I had connected it to my MacBook Air and iPhone via AAC and iBasso DX220 via aptX™. It works flawlessly with all three devices without any disturbing signal interference.

Control
As mentioned in the earlier section, the control on MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 can be all done by touching the faceplate. The touch gesture can be customized on the Sennheiser Smart Control smartphone application. Users can select the most suitable gesture for each function, such as volume control, voice control and changing of tracks.

With this enablement, I can always leave my smartphone in my bag and control it using only the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2.

Fitting and Isolation
I have some experience with the first generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless. I always need to stretch my ears a little to fit the large earbuds. In the second generation, the ergonomic design is much improved. Now, I can easily put them into my ears without stretching. I even did some jump tests to ensure the fitting is secure.

With active noise cancellation implementation and better insertion into ears, MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is definitely a good travelling companion. I have some opportunities to test them out on noisy public transport, they are really good in cancelling the noise from surrounding. Sennheiser is thoughtful enough to leave some safety margins so you can still be alerted by the announcement in the train station.


Sound Analysis
I paired the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 to my iBasso DX220 with aptX™ for this review. As mentioned in the previous section, it paired flawlessly to my other devices, such as MacBook Air and iPhone.


Sound Signature
The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 has similar sound signature as other models from the MOMENTUM series - musical and fun. MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 has a L-shaped sound signature. The presentation is rich and full-bodied, with more emphasis on the bass. Similar to MOMENTUM Wireless which I reviewed earlier, it offers users a comfortable listening experience.

Soundstage
Soundstage is never a problem for Sennheiser. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 has an above average soundstage. The extensions in both horizontal and vertical axes are astonishing. The ANC status alters the soundstage a little - with ANC off, the soundstage is slightly wider, with air injected. With ANC mode off, the airy feel is minimized and the presentation is richer. Nevertheless, regardless of which mode is toggled, there are no congestions experienced.

Lows
The bass extension is decent. I didn’t experience any sub-bass roll-off. The quantity of the sub-bass can definitely satisfy bass-heads - it rumbles well. The decay of the bass has typical speed of a dynamic driver; this injects some warmth into the overall sound signature. Despite having a slower decay, it does not color or bleed to the mids. The overall presentation is still clean and clear.

I personally like the warm bass when listening to jazz. I really like how saxophones in jazz recordings sound on MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 - warm and full-bodied.

The mid bass on MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is leaner, compared to the sub-bass. This makes space for the mids. The transition from the lows to mids has been done well. Sennheiser demonstrated their accuracy in tuning their IEMs in MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 - this is definitely an audiophile grade of true wireless earbuds!


Mids
Having said that the lows are getting more emphasis, the mids of MOMENTUM True Wireless are not shy at all. It exhibits the slightly warm signature from the lows, making itself rich and smooth. The presentation is full-bodied and natural. The layering between mids and lows have been done well in MOMENTUM True Wireless 2.

Listening to Taiwanese-band, Mayday’s Life World Tour concert album, I got the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) effect from Ashin’s vocal presented by MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. This is how amazing the vocals are.

The positioning of the vocals is slightly backward compared to the lows. This makes the overall listening experience comfortable because the vocals do not get too shouty, which is one of the effects that cause fatigue in prolonged listening.

Female vocals are handled well by MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 too. When Olivia Ong starts singing in Fly Me to the Moon, she owns the whole stage. Sweet, airy and spacious female vocals melt my heart immediately.

Highs
The highs are well extended. Cymbals sound crisp and natural. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 accurately recreates the plucking of a guitar, too. The highs inject huge amounts of air and space to the overall presentation. The overall fidelity is outstanding for a True Wireless earbuds. The air and space in the highs contribute to the end result of a wide soundstage.

As compared to other models from Sennheiser, the highs of MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 are more reserved. This further enhances the comfortability in listening. Together with the slightly warm bass, the music flows smoothly and naturally to your ear drums, without any factors that can irritate or cause fatigue.

Verdict
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 successfully addressed the feedback from users based on the first generation. The second generation is indeed more user-friendly and closer to perfection. While preserving the excellent sound quality, Sennheiser improved the ergonomic design and implemented cutting-edge technologies like ANC and Bluetooth V5.1 to further strengthen the second generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless.

I can now listen to it for hours due to the comfortability in both wearing and sonic performance. Thanks to the long battery life and stability in connection, I can move around in my office freely with MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 on.

Click to expand...

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is retailing at SGD$449 (USD$299). You can purchase it from Sennheiser Official Website for individual countries. For those who are in Singapore, you can opt for an installment plan by Hoolah. Amongst all its upgrades, Sennheiser sees an increasing demand for the white variant and MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 has this color option now!

Sennheiser got it right in the first generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless and I am glad that they are even another step closer to perfection with the second generation. MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is definitely a strong contestant within its price range.

Click to expand...